The Program:
This is a full Travel program where 7th grade players will play games throughout the season as part of the Fairfield County Field Hockey League. Games will rotate between home and away. Home games rotate between Saturday morning and Sunday evenings. Away games will be planned by the host team. 7th grade Travel teams practice 2 nights per week between the hours of 6 and 9pm (tentatively scheduled for Monday and Thursday evenings for 1 ½ hours per practice). Game schedules and practice day/times to be confirmed closer to the season.

Note:Mandatory Evaluations will be August 28 & August 29th - see message on homepage for tryout details. The season will run through the November 5th weekend. Opening Day will be Saturday, September 9th. More specifics to come later in August.

Program Goal:
The goal of the 7th grade Travel program is to increase each girl’s individual and team skills in a competitive environment while fostering a love for the game. The girls will be encouraged, challenged and expected to work hard at practice and games.

Coaching:
7th & 8th grade Travel teams are led by hired coaches and overseen by WYFH Head Coach & Player Development Director, Emily Townsend Prince. Evaluations will be conducted by the Travel Coaches and an outside independent party.

Emily Townsend Prince will engage with both 7th and 8th grade teams through skills coaching and oversight throughout the season. She will mentor the hired Travel coaches and personally coach the 8th grade Blue Team. Emily’s training and coaching philosophy will be utilized throughout every grade level of the Wilton Youth Field Hockey program.Team Assignments:At the beginning of the season, Travel coaches will hold evaluations for 7th and 8th grade players. There are NO CUTS. Players will be evaluated based on skill, experience and effort and assigned to a Blue or White Team. Players interested in being selected for the Blue Team must sign the Travel Commitment Letter that states their commitment to field hockey as their primary sport. Girls who are not interested in that level of commitment can automatically opt to play on the White Team.

Travel Commitment:Each player who would like to be considered for the 7th or 8th Grade Blue teams will need to provide a signed Travel Commitment Letter available under the "Documents" tab. If your player is selected for the Blue team, field hockey must be their #1 priority. Practices and games are mandatory. Another sport or activity is not considered a reason to miss a game or practice. For all players, practice is mandatory and will affect decisions made come game time.

Equipment:Players must provide their own stick, regulation goggles "cage-style" eye wear (ASTM F803 standards for field hockey), mouth guard and field hockey shin guards. Cleats or sneakers can be worn. Any player without protective gear will not be able to participate. There are no exceptions to this policy.

**UNIFORM PROCESS**:

Purchase uniforms directly through the Wilton Sport Shop. Uniform styles are the same for 5th-8th grade. If your uniform fits from last year there is no need to order a new one. You can see samples and check sizes in the store. If you choose to purchase a new uniform this year, we ask that you keep the same number. Wilton Sport Shop will have a record of players and numbers for you to reference. Uniforms are navy blue and white with the WYFH logo on both the shirt and skort. Players are to wear either navy blue or white socks.

To insure uniforms arrive in time for the first game, please place your order by August 10th.

REFUND POLICY:

Refunds will incur a $25.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after August 21st.